A popular Mannum festival is one of the four successful projects in the Barker electorate set to receive a financial boost under the Building Better Regions Fund – Community Stream. All Steamed Up 2018: Boats, Engines, Steam and Blacksmith Festival will be awarded $79,500, which Mannum Dock Museum executive officer Deb Alexander said will allow the project to be significantly expanded. The last event in 2016 attracted over 7000 visitors, 70 boats and 60 display engines, alongside the largest working group of blacksmiths in South Australia, which Mrs Alexander said would be built upon for this year’s event in November. “We are thrilled to receive this funding to profile our steam and living on the Murray River maritime heritage through Mannum’s ‘All Steamed Up’ event and the production of a replica Shearer steam car,” she said. “‘All Steamed Up’ is a celebration of the art of blacksmithing, wooden and classic boats and engineering brilliance through the many engine and steam displays. “Mannum’s origins reflects amazing engineering talents, ingenuity and entrepreneurial endeavours with the birthplace of the paddle steamer on the Murray River by Captain William Randell in 1853 and the first steam car with a differential in the Southern Hemisphere by David and John Shearer in 1898. “Through the talents of our dedicated volunteers, who just love steam boats, we will see the Shearer car come to life, offering another piece of living heritage for the township of Mannum and the Murray River Lakes and Coorong region for the future.” Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the community-based projects were a positive investment in the region’s future. “$79,000 will be awarded to the (‘All Steamed Up’ 2018) project to expand the festival and include the only working replica of Australia’s first steam car which will be built as part of the project,” Mr Pasin said. “Projects like these will drive the economic growth and transform communities, ensuring that our region remains resilient and prosperous into the future.” Over 10,000 visitors are expected to flock to Mannum for the event, set to take place from November 16 to 17. Along with the launch of the replica Shearer car highlights of this year’s festival will include a masterclass with blacksmiths from the United States and the Mannum Freshwater Classic.

All Steamed Up 2018: Boats, Engines, Steam and Blacksmith Festival will be awarded $79,500, which Mannum Dock Museum executive officer Deb Alexander said will allow the project to be significantly expanded.

The last event in 2016 attracted over 7000 visitors, 70 boats and 60 display engines, alongside the largest working group of blacksmiths in South Australia, which Mrs Alexander said would be built upon for this year’s event in November.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding to profile our steam and living on the Murray River maritime heritage through Mannum’s ‘All Steamed Up’ event and the production of a replica Shearer steam car,” she said.

“‘All Steamed Up’ is a celebration of the art of blacksmithing, wooden and classic boats and engineering brilliance through the many engine and steam displays.

History: David Shearer began work on his steam driven car in 1894. Photo: Supplied.

“Mannum’s origins reflects amazing engineering talents, ingenuity and entrepreneurial endeavours with the birthplace of the paddle steamer on the Murray River by Captain William Randell in 1853 and the first steam car with a differential in the Southern Hemisphere by David and John Shearer in 1898.

“Through the talents of our dedicated volunteers, who just love steam boats, we will see the Shearer car come to life, offering another piece of living heritage for the township of Mannum and the Murray River Lakes and Coorong region for the future.”

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the community-based projects were a positive investment in the region’s future.

“$79,000 will be awarded to the (‘All Steamed Up’ 2018) project to expand the festival and include the only working replica of Australia’s first steam car which will be built as part of the project,” Mr Pasin said.

“Projects like these will drive the economic growth and transform communities, ensuring that our region remains resilient and prosperous into the future.”

Over 10,000 visitors are expected to flock to Mannum for the event, set to take place from November 16 to 17.

Along with the launch of the replica Shearer car highlights of this year’s festival will include a masterclass with blacksmiths from the United States and the Mannum Freshwater Classic.